Demountable stage structure



April 26, 1938. J. GORANCE DEMOUNTABLE STAGE STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 9, 1937 INVENTOR John G or'an b e ATTORN EY$ Patented Apr. 26, 1938 DEMOUNTABLE STAGE STRUCTURE John Gorance, Barberton, Ohio Application August 9, 1937,Serial No. 158,184

2 Claims.

My invention relates to demountable stage structures and has for one of the primary objects the provision of a structure that is quickly assembled, simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a structure of the above described character equipped with means whereby the size may be increased or decreased as desired.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the structure may be readily disassembled when not in use and stored or transported in a minimum amount of space.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of one of the support members.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the tie members showing the runner hinged thereto in folded position.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 66 of Fi 1.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

In practicing my invention, in a preferred em bodiment illustrated in the drawing, I employ a plurality of support members l formed with horizontal tread surfaces II and vertical riser surfaces l2. The riser surfaces are formed with nosing notches I3 adjacent the tread surfaces. Secured on the lateral faces of the support members, intermediate and adjacent the said tread surfaces, are elongated pairs of jointure members l4 forming dove-tail slots l within which are secured dove-tail tongues l6 formed on the ends of tie members IT. The tie members, through the medium of the tongues and members l4, secure the support members together in spaced relation. The rear ends of each of the support members are secured within channels formed in vertically extending brackets [8, the upper ends of which are recessed to form nosing notches l9 and are provided with plates 20 having offset sections 2| forming the upper horizontal wall of said notches. Suitable ground engaging plates 22 are formed with offset sections for embracing the lower ends of said brackets.

The pairs of jointure members, located at the front ends of the support members, are each provided at the lower ends thereof with stop plates 6 23 forming a lower seat for the tongues l6 within the slots [5. Horizontal dove-tail tongues 24 are secured within the lower ends of the slots l5 of the other pairs of members by means of pins 25 and form lower seats for the tongues I6 of the connected tie members [1.

Each of the tie members I! have mounted thereon runners 26 by means of hinges 21. The hinges are recessed within the respective parts to eifect flush outer surfaces and secured thereto by suitable screws or the like. The runners are formed at their inner edges with nosings 28 engaging the notches |3 at the lateral ends thereof with channeled heel plates 29 for abutting engagement with the heel plates of the adjacent runners. The lateral ends of the runners extend a suificient distance beyond the tongues l6 for abutting engagement with adjacent runners on the tread surfaces of the support members 10.

In use, a plurality of support members are connected together by the tie members through the medium of the tongues l6 and jointure members I4. In effecting this connection, the tongues l6 of the tie members are moved downwardly in the slots l5, causing the runners to pivot on the hinge from a vertical to a horizontal position as the tie member moves to a seated position. As the runners are moved to a horizontal position, the nosings 28 move into the notches l3 and seat therein. Accidental displacement of the runners on the supports, by means of pressure exerted on the runners laterally outwardly of the hinges, is prevented by the nosings engaging the upper walls of the nosing notches I3. Obviously, upward pressure or pull exerted on the outer ends of the runners will cause the runners to pivot on the hinges and permit the tie members to be withdrawn in a vertical plane and thereby effect disengagement of the runners from the tread surfaces and resultant demounting of the structure.

While I have shown and described my invention as related to stage structures, it is to be distinctly understood that the same may be employed as bleachers, display shelvings and other adaptable uses and that various modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Furthermore, the terms used herein are to be construed in their broadest sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a structure of the character described, a plurality of support members formed with tread and riser surfaces, said riser surfaces fashioned with nosing notches, jointure members secured to said support members, runners mounted on said surfaces provided with nosings within said notches adapted to coact together to prevent accidental dislodgement of said runners on said support members, tie members pivoted to said runners and secured to said jointure members whereby said support members are connected together in spaced relation to support said runners. 2. In a structure of the character described, a plurality of support members formed with tread and riser surfaces, said riser surfaces fashioned with nosing notches, jointure members secured to said support members adjacent said tread surfaces, runners mounted on said tread surfaces having nosings coacting within said notches to prevent accidental dislodgement of said runners on said support members, tie members hinged to said runners and connected to said support members, and jointure members on said tie members detachably engaging said first mentioned join ture members to maintain said support members in spaced relation to support said runners in horizontal position in a manner whereby relative pivoted movement of said runners and said tie members will disengage said nosings from said notches to permit removal of said runners from said supports.

JOHN GORANCE. 

